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BERNARD J. RONAN, JR.

By Michael Tomaszewski

BERNARD J. RONAN, JR. - 81, of Batavia, former City of Batavia Police Officer and Town of Batavia Justice died peacefully Monday morning January 5, 2015 at United Memorial Medical Center. He was born May 6, 1933 in Buffalo, NY to the late Bernard J. and Margaret (Langfelder) Ronan, Sr., also preceded in death by his siblings, David Ronan, Norine Ives and special goddaughter, Rosemary Ives.

   Mr. Ronan served on the City Police force for over 20 years and 9 years on the bench for the Town of Batavia. He is a United States Air Force Veteran having served during the Korean Conflict and was a long time member of St. Anthony's R.C. Church and current member of St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish in East Pembroke. A charming man, quick witted with a wonderful sense of humor, he enjoyed camping and family trips, had a love of music and though never in public was known to have a beautiful singing voice. His home was his castle and he was always working hard to keep it up, family, friends and neighbors will remember him on his John Deere mower keeping the lawn at the perfect height.

   His accomplishments in law enforcement and as a judge were many and his peers remember him as fair, but tough. Family, education and hard work were paramount to Mr. Ronan, he and his wife worked tirelessly to give their daughters a good education. He was so very proud of his girls and grandchildren and his strong devotion to his family and his faith lives on in all of them. Bernard loved to travel and see his grandchildren and what they were involved in, but as his health deteriorated he was unable to do so, but always made sure they knew how proud he was of them.

   Surviving is his beloved wife of 54 years, Rose Mary (Joy) Ronan of Batavia and his beloved daughters, Mary Katherine (Steven) Fisher of Batavia and their children, Kaleigh Kathleen, Steven Ronan, Maxwell Connor & Cullen O'Connell; Margaret (William) Tretter of Pittsburgh, PA and their children, Paige Alexis, Madisen Rose & Spencer Davis; Patricia (Gerald) Thompson of Halfmoon, NY and their son, Gerald Arthur III "Trey"; Judith (Neal) Pason of Kintnersville, PA, and their children, McKenna Joy, Carter Hart & Holly Mae along with several nieces and nephews.

   The Ronan family will be present from 6-9 p.m. Thursday January 8, 2015 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 where prayers will be recited 9:15 a.m. Friday January 9 followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial St. Maximillian Kolbe Parish (East Pembroke Site) followed by full military honors. He will be laid to rest in St. Joseph's Cemetery and memorials in his memory can be made to Notre Dame High School 73 Union Street Batavia, NY.

   Please leave your words of comfort to his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com and for more information call Michael at (585)343-7500.

THE FAMILY OF BERNARD J. RONAN, JR. IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.

 

Steve Hyde's retirement plans? Step out of the limelight, help with a new grandchild

By Howard B. Owens
steve hyde
Steve Hyde.
Photo by Steve Ognibene.

At only 61, Steve Hyde isn't planning a second career after his final days with the Genesee County Economic Development Center; he's planning to try out an actual retirement -- for awhile, at least.

"My kind of core values in retirement, I think are, I want to spend more time with my family, do a little traveling," Hyde said in an exclusive interview with The Batavian on Monday. "I'll try to be around to help out, but it's time to step away from the limelight and the leadership role a little bit."

Hyde has led the EDC for 21 years, overseeing the construction of eight shovel-ready industrial parks, including WNY STAMP, the Genesee Valley Agribusiness Park, Apple Tree Acres, Buffalo East Tech Park, and Gateway I & II corporate parks, among them. During that time, GCEDC has assisted more than 500 projects, from building expansions to whole new factories, worth a combined $2 billion-plus of investments leading to the creation of thousands of new jobs and increased tax revenue for municipalities and school districts.

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